Cheshire-based label printer, Vista Labels has installed an AccurioLabel 230 digital toner press, manufactured by Konica Minolta and supplied by Focus Label Machinery Ltd.

The new press will complement existing digital & flexo presses to enable the company to provide a broader range of labels, from low volumes to high volumes – across a wide range of market sectors and applications.

The AccurioLabel 230 is designed for label printers who are looking to move into digital production, or who have existing digital technology such as inkjet and need to be able to offer an alternative.

With 23.4 m/min print speeds, and a native 1200 x 1200 dpi resolution, the output quality is claimed to compete favourably against other high-end digital presses which cost three to four times the price. The press is able to run standard 330mm width coated paper, uncoated paper and polypropylene label materials with no special pre-coating.

Vista’s Production Director, Stuart Mellish commented “At Vista Labels, we are constantly seeking new and improved manufacturing processes and have made substantial investments in state-of-the-art digital technology. We have developed innovative production techniques to raise quality and drive down costs, whilst actively pursuing a policy of waste management and ethical trading. This latest investment represents a further continuation of this process.”

The new press comes with Konica Minolta’s own AccurioPro label imposition software, which optimises the use of media by automating jobs, such as impositioning and step-and-repeat, as well as support for variable data printing. It works on a simple drag-and-drop principle - where the one-up, print-ready PDF file is simply placed into the software, which then performs the necessary functions. This is complemented by a Konica Minolta Miyro Auto Scan Spectrophotometer, which provides the ability to accurately profile and calibrate colours in around four minutes. This technology is said to enable significant savings in both time and wastage.

The cost model of the press is based on a straightforward click price per linear metre, which includes all consumables, spare parts, and servicing. This allows the user to quote for jobs without seeing the artwork, as there is no issue with estimating toner coverage.

Mr. Mellish continued, “We find the AccurioLabel 230 very simple to operate and the press was in full production within a couple of days of delivery. Both Focus and Konica Minolta were very helpful and professional throughout the procurement and installation process, allowing us to run a number of production trials and customer samples.”

Antony Cotton, Technical Sales Manager at Focus added “Our partnership with Konica Minolta brings together the product excellence and support of this highly respected manufacturer, along with our own considerable printing & finishing expertise. This partnership continues to open up exciting new avenues for UK label printing companies, looking for an alternative way to provide production digital print services alongside traditional label printing methods.

Our customer, Vista Labels is a perfect example of such a company. We have built a strong relationship with them over several years and we are delighted that they have again chosen to partner with Focus in this latest venture.”

He adds, “The AccurioLabel 230 provides a simple business model that makes perfect sense to all sizes of printing companies, competing in an ever-changing market. The considerable benefits include on-demand full-colour printing, sampling, variable data and graphics, fixed price printing, no special substrates, and low-cost investment - all fully serviced, and inclusive of consumables and components.”

He concludes, “Being a Konica Minolta expert reseller enables Focus to deliver an exciting new product option at the right price, which is perfect for customers looking to adapt to an evolving market.”

As well as being a Konica Minolta Industrial Print Partner, Focus also specialises in supplying and manufacturing narrow web flexographic and integrated digital printing presses and innovative solutions for digital finishing equipment.

The AccurioLabel 230 is available for demonstration in the Focus technical showroom facility, alongside their Reflex 330 re-register label finishing systems. Visitors are able to directly compare digital toner & inkjet technologies side by side, as well as finishing & digital hybrid equipment.

For more details of Konica Minolta AccurioLabel 230 or Focus equipment visit: www.focuslabel.com 

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